Awassa sits on the shore of Lake Hawassa in the Great Rift Valley, on the highway between Addis Ababa and Moyale. The lake, the fish market and the lakeside promenade give the city its character, and the surrounding hills and the Dume hill (later named Tabor) form the backdrop to the town.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the city spreads back from the lake, with Piazza Road running down to the water and the bus stop area on Piazza Road itself. The main places to base yourself cluster around the lake shore and along Piazza Road, with a further option near the university. This guide covers those areas and what each is like to stay in, so you can pick the base that fits your trip.
Best areas to stay in Awassa
1. Piazza Road and the lakeside end
Piazza Road runs down to the lake, and the stretch near the water is the most convenient base for a short visit. Guesthouses and hotels here put you a minute's walk from the lake and about five minutes' walk into town, and the area around the bus stop on Piazza Road has both cheap and medium-priced places to stay.
This suits first-time visitors and anyone arriving by bus, since the Sky Bus from Addis Ababa stops on Piazza Road rather than at the bus station. It also suits budget travellers: the cheapest rooms in the city are found close to the bus stop. Expect some noise in this area, as one lakeside property is described as quite noisy.
2. Just north of town, by the lake
North of the city along the lake shore is where you find the luxurious resort-style accommodation, with swimming pools and the lake on the doorstep. This is the choice for a splurge stay or a relaxed break by the water.
It suits travellers who want resort facilities and are happy to be just outside the centre rather than in it. The trade-off is that you are north out of town, so you will not be walking straight into the city centre for meals and errands.
3. Just south of town, by the lake
The southern lakeside edge of the city is the other resort area, again with luxurious places with swimming pools. It is a quieter, out-of-town base with the lake close by.
This suits couples and families looking for a resort stay rather than a city-centre one. One practical warning from travellers: if you are booking a resort by the lake here, be careful you are not booking one of the similarly named hotels in town instead.
4. Near the University Agricultural College
The area around the University Agricultural College has at least one well-regarded hotel with good rooms, friendly staff and a reasonable restaurant. It is a calmer, more residential base away from the lakeside bustle.
This suits travellers who want a quiet stay and do not mind being away from the lake and the main visitor area. It is a reasonable option if you have business or studies at the university, but less convenient if your days are built around the lake and the market.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: very basic rooms from around 50 Birr, and cheap places close to the bus stop on Piazza Road for around 100 Birr. Expect simple rooms, sometimes with a shared or en-suite bathroom.
- Mid-range: good traveller hotels with a bed and a shower, typically 100 to 150 Birr, and guesthouses with en-suite bathrooms a short walk from the lake.
- Splurge: the luxurious lakeside resorts north and south of town, with swimming pools and resort facilities; rooms in the best hotels typically cost $50–70 per night.
Best area for a first visit
Piazza Road and the lakeside end is the best base for a first visit. It puts you within a minute of the lake and a few minutes of town, and it is where the bus from Addis Ababa drops you, so you can arrive and settle in without a further journey. It also has the widest spread of places to stay, from cheap rooms near the bus stop to mid-range guesthouses.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the bus from Addis Ababa stop in Awassa?
The Sky Bus from Addis Ababa does not stop at the bus station; it stops on Piazza Road. There are good, cheap and medium-priced hotels close to that stop.
Can I stay within walking distance of the lake?
Yes. Guesthouses on Piazza Road are about a minute's walk from the lake and five minutes from town, and the resort areas lie directly on the lake just north and south of the city.
Is the lakeside area quiet?
Not everywhere. One lakeside property on Piazza Road is described as quite noisy, while others nearby are mostly quiet. If quiet matters to you, ask before booking.
How much should I expect to pay for a room?
Very basic rooms start at around 50 Birr, cheap rooms near the bus stop are around 100 Birr, and good traveller hotels with a bed and a shower run between 100 and 150 Birr. Rooms in the best hotels typically cost $50–70 per night.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page.